Lid for pickle barrels



Sept. 13, 1960 M. M. BROWN YYETAL I 2,952,377

LID FOR PICKLE BARRELS V Filed m y 15, 195

INVENTORS MORTON M. BROWN BYJOSEPH LANGER LID FOR 'PICKLE BARRELS Filed May '15, 1958, Ser. No. 735,512

4"Claims. Cl. 217-83) This invention concerns a cover for barrels used for display and sale of foodstuffs such as pickles, olives, sauerkrautandtcondiments of similar character.

According to the invention there is provided a trans- ,parent rectangular or circular cover through which the foodstuffs on display may be viewed. The cover is provided with a pivotable lid which can be raised for removingfseleoted articles. One half or a portion of the cover ay be permanently secured to an annular frame which isfremovably attached to an open top of a barrel. The other half or remainder of the cover forming the lid is ihinged to the stationary portion and may be rested against {an abutment when the lid is open. In a modification of the invention, the cover is rotatably mounted on a frame to provide access to any desired point at the top of the barrel. The lid may be provided with means for lifting up a quantity of brine or liquor from the barrel and for aerating and circulating the liquor. :"Forfurther comprehension of the invention, and of 'theobjects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the'following description and accompanying drawings, "and tothe appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth. 'In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure: I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a form of cover embody- :ing'the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the cover of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig.2 showing the cover applied to a barrel.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a guide member for the cover.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a dipper for liquor provided on the cover.

In the drawings there is shown an annular frame 20 which may be formed by bending a plastic strip to form an endless band. An arcuate cleat 21 is cemented to the ends pf the strip to form a reinforced joint. A flat annular plastic strip is cemented to the inside of frame 20 for forming a ledge 22. This ledge rests on the top of barrel B. The barrel has the usual hoop 23 at the top, securing the staves. The barrel may have a false bottom spaced from the open top of the barrel to provide a raised platform upon which the pickles, sauerkraut, etc., may be disposed for display and sale. A pair of blocks 26 and 28 are secured to the outer side of the frame 20. The blocks 26, 28 and cleat 21 are spaced apart about 120 apart on centers on the frame 20. A thumb screw 30 extends through a threaded bore in each block and cleat and through the frame so that it can be tightened against the hoop 23 of the barrel.

The circular top of the cover includes two substantially semicircular sections 32 and 34. The diameter of the circular top is greater than the external diameter of frame 20 so that sections 32 and 34 extend beyond the frame. Section 32 is secured immovably upon frame 20 by spaced screws 36. An inclined abutment block 38 is mounted on section 32 near its straight edge. Section 34 2,952,377 Patented Sept. 13, 1960 provides a pivotable lid which is attached to section 32 by hinges 40. A knob handle 42 is secured to the top of lid 34 near its outer edge for convenience in lifting the lid. 7 A rubber knob44 is secured on ledge 22 and serves as a resilient bumper to cushion the lid when it is closed.

In Fig. 3 the lid is shown in dotted lines in an open position resting on abutment 38. In this position access is provided to one half of the top of the barrel for removal of the contents therefrom and for replenishing the supply of foodstuffs thereto.

It is preferred that sections 32 and 34, frame 20 and ledge 22 be made of clear, transparent plastic material such. as acrylic resin. Methyl methacrylate is particularly suitable since it can be obtained in rigid transparent sheets having a thickness of a quarter of an inch or more. It is thermoplastic so that it can readily be cut and formed into desired shapes. It is chemically stable with respect to the brine, vinegar and other strongly corrosive ingredients generally used in pickle liquor. Polymethyl methacrylate is also suitable for the present purpose. These materials are readily cleaned and are durable and attractive in use.

The cover isprovided with a depending radial extension 50 formed on frame 20 and integral therewith to define a channel or groove 52 open at the bottom. A plurality of clips 54, best shown in Fig. 4, are secured to section 32 at spaced positions. Each clip has an upwardly extending .finger 56 disposed within channel 52. The clips serve as guides so that the section 32 can be rotated on the frame 20 with lid 34 in open or closed position. Each Secured by screws 61 to the underside of lid 34 is a scoop or dipper-62. This dipper has a pair of end walls 64 and whose upper ends are spaced from lid 32 to .provide openings through which pickle liquor can enter the dipper when the lid is closed. The dipper is formed by a generally .U- shaped member 68 having outwardly extending flanges 6-9 in which are threaded holes 70 for insertion of screws 61 A notch 71 is formed in the top of Wall 66 to form a pouring lip or spout, as best shown in Fig. 5. When the lid is closed the pickle liquor enters and fills the dipper up to the tops of walls 64, 66. As the lid is being opened the liquor pours out of the dipper and when the lid is in the dotted line inclined position shown in Fig. 3, the dipper is in an upside-down position so that all liquor is emptied from the dipper and runs down the lid back into the barrel.

The dipper serves several functions. It .serves to stir, circulate and aerate the liquor each time the lid is open and closed. This is necessary because the pickle liquor is liable to ferment rather rapidly and form a mold acoumulation upon its upper surface unless it is frequently stirred in air. By use of the present cover, each time the cover is closed a quantity of liquor enters the dipper while the remainder of the liquor flows around the dipper. As the lid is raised the liquor spills out over the open top and is aerated as it flows back over the lid. Of course, if it is desired to remove a quantity of liquor from the barrel the dipper provides a convenient means for this purpose, since the liquor while pouring out over lip 71 may readily be received in a container held below the dipper.

The rotatable mounting of the top of the cover is particularly important. To dispense a pickle or other article from any point under the section 32, the circular top can easily be rotated on frame 20 and when the lid 34 is lifted this point will be exposed.

All metal parts used in assembling the cover such as hinges, clips, screws and the like should be made of stainl'es's steel or other corrosion resistant metal. The dipper should be made of the same plastic material as the top sections, frame and ledge.

-While we have illustrated. and. described .the preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A cover for a barrel of pickles or the like, comprising a circular annular frame, a first semicircular top section rotatably mounted on said frame, a second sermcircular top section having a diametral edge hinged to a diametral edge of the first top section to afford access to the barrel through the frame, a plurality of thumb screws threaded in said frame and extending radially therethrough for removably holding the frame on the bar,- rel, and an annular imperforate ledge extending radially inwardly on said frame to rest on the barrel, the first and second sections, frame and ledge being formed of transparent plastic material, said material being chemically inert in the presence of pickle liquor in the barrel, said first section and frame having means slidably engaged for guiding said first section in rotational movement on the frame while retaining said sections thereon.

2. A cover for a barrel of pickles or the like, comprising a circular annular frame, a first semicircular top section rotatably mounted on said frame, a second semicircular top section hinged to the first top section to afford access to the barrel through the frame, a plurality 'of thumb screws threaded in said frame and extending radially therethrough for engaging the barrel, an annular ledge extending radially inwardly on said frame to rest on the barrel, the first and second sections, frame and ledge being formed of transparent plastic material,

said material being chemically. inert in the presence of pickle liquor in the barrel, and an upwardly extending inclined abutment disposed on the first section for supporting said second section in the inclined open position, said frame having a radially inwardly extending portion formed with a groove therein having an open bottom, said first section having means slidably engaged in prising a circular annular frame, a first semicircular top section rotatably mounted on said frame, a second semicircular top section having a diametral edge hinged to a diametral edge of the first top section to afford access to the barrel through the frame, a plurality of thumb screws threaded in said frame and extending radially therethrough for removably engaging the frame on the barrel, an annular imperforate ledge extending radially inwardly on said frame to rest on the barrel, and an upwardly extending inclined abutment disposed on the first section for supporting said s'econdsection in the inclined open position, said frame and first section having means slidably engaged for guiding the first and second sections in rotational movement around the frame while retaining said sections on the frame.

4. A cover for a barrel of pickles or the like, cornprising a circular annular frame, a first semicirculartop sectio'n rotatably mounted on said frame, a second semicircular top section having a diametral edge hinged to a diametral edge of the first top section to afford access to the barrel through the frame, a plurality ofithumb screws threaded in said frame and extending radially therethrough for removably holding the frame on the barrel, and an annular imperforate ledge extending radially inwardly on said frame to rest on the barrel, said frame and first section having means slidably'engaged for guiding the first and second sections in rotational movement around the frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent France Sept. 20,;192 6 

